Protect Our Chief

Chapter 985 - 51: The Wang Family Dominates Longzhou! Battling the Great Emperor

"Grandfather," Wang Shifeng replied with a bow, "This time the Yian Family went all out to nurture a Celestial Pride direct daughter. It indeed seems like they’re waiting for a buyer. However, unless truly desperate, what family would willingly sell their sons and daughters?"Upon saying this, he sighed, his tone full of reluctance: "Shuang’Er, that young girl, is pure-hearted, intelligent, and knows manners. If she were to enter the Clan Academy to catch up on some lessons, she still has great potential. If she were to just... It’s truly..."

He couldn’t continue any further.

He was well aware that among the Noble Families, the Wang Family treated the womenfolk in the clan exceptionally well, even treating the wives married into the family equally. If Yian Shuangshuang were to marry into the Wang Family, she would be able to cultivate and study without hindrance. However, were she to marry into another Purple Mansion Family, without strong backing from her maternal family, she would have to support her maternal lineage, and her future would be bleak.

"Alright, since Fong’er speaks on behalf of the Yian Family, grandfather will fulfill your wish this time," Wang Shouzhe said with a smile. "You will go and pay your respects to the Yu Fei Ancestor and Patriarch Feihong, tell them I was preoccupied recently and couldn’t entertain them, and hence, I’ve arranged a banquet to apologize."

This wait lasted over ten days; I believe the Yu Yan Family’s mood should have stabilized by now. At the very least, they won’t think the Wang Family can be easily dismissed.

In Wang Shouzhe’s future business grand scheme, the northwest region of Longzuo County is also an important part. If the Yian Family doesn’t have any major issues, Wang Shouzhe is willing to give them a hand.

"Thank you, grandfather. Fong’er will handle this immediately." Wang Shifeng felt honored and quickly stood up to leave.

Clearly, he had quite a good impression of Yian Shuangshuang.

As for Ying Lei and the other girls, Wang Shouzhe did not ask them about the male members of the Yian Family. Before talking to them, he had already investigated the situation. The three of them had no interest in the young men of the Yian Family, making it a pointless question.

Subsequently, Wang Shouzhe chatted "casually" with the children for quite a long time. Apart from being somewhat dissatisfied with Shilian’s homework, the rest of them were acceptable, and only then did he reluctantly let them leave.

Once these kids were a few dozen feet away from Shouzhe Courtyard, they each let out a heavy sigh, displaying expressions as if they had received a great pardon. Fourth Grandfather’s testing is always unexpected and catches one off guard.

Luckily, this time, aside from Wang Shilin who wore a solemn expression, the rest passed safely.

Poor Wang Shilin, it’s likely that he won’t have a peaceful year ahead. His father, Wang Zongtai, won’t let him off easily once he hears the news.

The evening twilight spilled over Zhuwei Lake, as a gentle breeze brushed through, casting ripples adorned with sunset fragments on the water’s surface, beautiful like a picturesque painting, distant and serene.

Wang Shouzhe hosted a banquet by Zhuwei Lakefront for the ancestor and patriarch of the Yian Family.

During the banquet, it’s unclear what transpired or what words were exchanged, but when Yu Fei Ancestor emerged, the darkness on his face was noticeably replaced by a glow of red, and joy spread across his brow. Patriarch Feihong was even more elated, almost floating as he walked.

The following day.

The ancestor and patriarch of the Yian Family took a flying chariot to return directly to the Yian Family.

Meanwhile, the young men and women of the Yian Family were arranged to study within the Wang Clan Academy, taking remedial lessons alongside other "latecomers." Among them were Wang Yingxuan, Wang Yingqi, and Wang Lilong—a notorious flagrant slacker in studies—although they showed some progress, they still lacked considerably.

Studying alongside Wang Purple Mansion Family’s future "Female War God," and her fervent adjutant, as well as a Little Cyan Dragon in a floral dress, the youths of the Yian Family had to guard against "being eaten by the dragon," while resisting the fervent recruitment efforts from the Female War God Circle, rendering their days vibrant and varied.

Within this, the boys of the Yian Family frequently found themselves challenged by a group of fierce little girls, experiencing a once-in-a-lifetime "exciting life" adventure.

Fortunately, Lixian and Zongkun were still too young to attend the Clan Academy; otherwise, their level of despair would have been even higher.

...

Time flowed like water, and in the blink of an eye, a month or two had passed.

On the Wang Family’s side, the parents of Wang Shifeng and Yian Shuangshuang had already met and began progressing through the engagement process, while in Gui Long City, unrest began to stir.

Gui Long City Imperial Palace.

Inside Zhuozheng Pavilion, the gauze stretched down like vines, and fragrant incense curled gently.

Emperor Longchang hummed a little tune, admiring the masterworks of some renowned artists, looking radiant, evidently in a good mood.

Old Yao stood behind him, bowed respectfully, and softly reminded, "Your Majesty, the Inner Pavilion has presented several petitions again, some from Military Family clans, others from several idle Princes."

"Hehe~" Emperor Longchang didn’t even lift his eyelids, looking triumphant as he replied, "Taishi An Kang must be pleading and calling in favors everywhere, trying to appeal for mercy. Set those petitions aside for now. I’m getting old, and lack the energy to handle trivialities, surely nobody can blame me for that?"

"Yes, Your Majesty." Old Yao responded, then quietly added, "However, Your Majesty, some noble families and officials outside have privately expressed some criticisms about this matter. Longzuo County is newly established and lacks deep roots, though it has shown achievements in recent years. Now Your Majesty suddenly increases the tax by fifty percent, they say..."